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5043 did well and could probably have managed Old Hill. I was told that the main issue was that another water stop would have been needed if the loco was to be worked hard all the way. 5043 had been working quite hard from Oxford due to a pursuing HST only 30 minutes behind. We hoped that...

I thought the two 153's were used separately to make up the 30 minute frequency, in which case a 150 would only replace a single 153. This regularly happens anyway from my visits there!

150126 was on the 12:51 GMV-Weymouth today, so back on its home terrirtory, if only briefly. Pity anyone riding all the way through!! Still, could be a 142 I suppose!

The off-peak pattern of services requires 4 sets, but there are some extra peak services. My guess is that the 150 would be used for the peak services. I don't know how true this is but I heard that this will displace a 170 which would be used on Snow Hill services due to similarities with...

That's a thought, FGW could free up at least one HST diagram if they get some 180's back. Some of the North Cotswolds off peak services are still HST operated. Unlikely as it seems I suppose FGW could offer a swap. I expect GC would be happy to oblige!

The 180's for FGW are more than a rumour, they have confirmed that they intend to apply to DfT for 5 units, maybe 6, but as you say only 5 currently look available. The idea is to use them on the North Cotswolds off-peak services, which would release 4-5 trains, mostly turbos, for use on the...

Looks like the line will be ready to reopen in the morning, but still some finishing off to do here and there. I hope all goes well anyway! --- old post above --- --- new post below --- Well the line has reopened but it looks as if Evesham signalling is not with trains permitted past red...

Saw an LM 153 attached to a FGW 158 at Cheletenham yesterday morning, then an LM 153 attached to FGW 142 at Exeter headed for Exmouth. So there were at least two hired to FGW yesterday.

As there are new Pendolinos delivered, I understand Virgin are meant to be phasing out Voyagers. Exteding EUS to Wolves services makes sense as it minmises the number of paths between BHM and Wolves, and prvides direct services from Coventry and Birmingham Intl to Scotland

153334 was with 150002 again this evening @ 1900 at WO. Then, just to make a sandwich of the 153 170516. Joined on to make a weird 6 car working into Worcester depot!

A few weeks ago, whilst going past Tyseley on the Shakespeare Limited, a 172 was seen coupled to a 153, on another pass it was coupled to a 150, so they must have been testing multiple working with other types that Sunday whilst they had a range of vehicles available!

I am sure some TOC somewhere will want them, even to allow and equivalent number of Pacer vehicles to go off lease :wink:. LM will need more trains to implement the RUS recommendation for more Tamworth and Nuneaton to Birmingham services, but I suppose they cannot make a case yet until DfT acts...

I don't remember the free trips, but I remember 150001 spending a long time on the Matlock branch in revenue service. When you boarded you were asked to fill in the questionaire as to which seats etc. you preferred. That was the first time I had heard the phrase "airline" seating in connection...

172338 arrived about 30 minutes before Tornado and was hurriedly shunted into the centre road. Did not hang around to see 172341 arrive, but by 4:30pm, 172338 was in the "long siding" s. of the station on the down side, then 172341 arrived from Gloucester, reversed up the siding, coupled to 338...

I expect they are using Worcester-Gloucester for 2 reasons. It would be easier to get paths due to the operational restrictions and capacity on the other routes, and the main line provides an opportunity to take the unit up to it maximum speed. Gloucester is officially in LMs operational area...

I believe that 165/166's could be used pretty much anywhere on what I still think of as the Western Region. There might just be a few issues with station platforms here and there but I don't think it would be a hugely expensive investment to clear a route. I have heard suggestions they might get...

For example, tomorrows 09:21 Worcester-Stratford is diverted to New Street tomorrow due to scheduled engineering work. I am expecting it to be a 150, if so it will be the first one I have been on up Lickey in years, and it has a running start as it does not call at Bromsgrove! Amusingly, the...

That is very speculative! NR have mentioned the possibility of reopening that line for freight, but there are many issues: Route through Cheltenham (bridges, cyclepaths and development) Ownership and use of trackbed by Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway (I suppose NR could come to a...

What NR said to us locally was that the two sections of single track would be left because of the impact on the wider network of significant engineering work at either end, with a weak business case to justify it. It was said that the Charlbury-Wolvercot Junction section would be considered...

170's not normally used I'll agree, but I have had one twice on the last train from Snow Hill to Worcester/Malvern over the last few years. The last service is likely to be a Worcester driver that would sign a 170. I am not sure about Birmingham drivers. I would have thought the current shortage...